I do Operations at First Round Capital. I write about startups, technology, social innovation, policy & government, strategy, common sense, and the future of work. I opened my first business in 2005 and have since worked in the non-profit, government, and startup sectors.
I'm an evangelist for student entrepreneurship, the Council for Economic Education, Startup Leadership Program, Moneythink, DoSomething.org, MassChallenge and the NCIIA. Catch me @samantha_smith.

The Competitive Edge of Being Made in America

After a huge exodus of American manufacturing customers, there’s a new crop of young companies seeking to be Made in the U.S.A. There’s pride, for sure- but these companies are starting and staying here for a reason.

Today, you can’t have your product business made in America, just to have it here or by chance. The business must have an edge if it’s to be able to afford the premium cost. The following companies compete by offering a superior product, custom orders, advanced design, smaller batches, and on the ability to update, alter and create faster. These companies aren’t staying to just to stay; they’re finding ways to make Made in America strategic.

Ministry of Supply You know how you sweat in your business wear when you speed walk or stand still in the subway? Ministry of Supply is making performance shirts that adapt to your body and whatever scenario it’s responding to. “We see ourselves as BMW: sexy modern style with a ton of technology under the hood.”

“We’re able to iterate quickly on the design by remaining close to our supply chain. We’ve really focused on customer testing – we did over a dozen iterations before the current versions. It’s expensive early on, but in reality, ends up paying off.”

Bringing fashion to the speed of a tech start up. “We can see the process, touch and feel it, and work together with the manufacturer. Making something new, and designing something new requires a very hands-on approach. Made in America lets us do that, providing a high level of both communication and manufacturing quality at this crucial stage. We compete on design and an extremely high quality.”

Fun Facts:

Their fabric was created for NASA.

Delivering Happiness was the book Ministry of Supply interns received this summer

Quiyk Sports performance wear…specializing in Quidditch apparel. Quidditch players were wearing anything but performance uniforms when they played, and the Quiyk team saw an opportunity. They launched at the Quidditch World Cup in New York City.

Quidditch is the fastest growing sport and Quiyk is the sole provider of athletic apparel for it. There are over 650 quidditch teams across more than 25 countries

Quiyk is in the process of manufacturing uniforms for the United States, United Kingdom, France, and Australia for a Quidditch Expo at the 2012 Olympics in London

Company Based in: Seattle Products Made in: Seattle and Los Angeles

Underbrella (launching soon!) American made fashionable, leak resistant underwear. Made with three high tech fabric layers.

Who: Julie Sygiel, Sharon Ruggieri, and a batch of amazing interns.

Impact of staying in America:

“We worked hand-in-hand with fabric mills to create our unique fabric combination and test over 200 prototypes by mailing them to women across the country.”

No hassle of dealing with customs

It’s a short drive to check on the sewing facility in New York

Communication is easier: same time zone, language, culture

Low minimums and turn around times

Fun Facts:

The idea came out of a Brown University entrepreneurship class in the Spring of 2008

Julie sold 10,000 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies growing up

Company Based in: Providence (in the Jewelry district) Products Made in: New York

Know another killer American-made company? Leave a comment; I’d love to highlight them. Own a retail store or do buying for a company? Leave a comment and these companies will get their contact information over to you. Cheers to American Made!

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Samantha, you are absolutely right when you say “The business must have an edge if it’s to be able to afford the premium cost.” We also need to ensure that the product is of the highest quality to represent our country well. We have been making shirts locally for decades now and believe we have perfected a high quality, heavy weight men’s shirt that is worthy to be promoted as “Made in the USA” Take a look at our online store to see the tees – http://www.heavytshirt.com Thanks for your consideration. Maxanne Durkee